Sports & Politics Intersect: The world plays ball on Putin's pitch
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«I would like to underline that FIFA is committed to the principle of keeping politics out of sports. Russia has always adhered to such approaches and is striving for the closest cooperation with everyone who is determined to develop and enhance a creatSports & Politics Intersect: The world plays ball on Putin's pitch
«I would like to underline that FIFA is committed to the principle of keeping politics out of sports. Russia has always adhered to such approaches and is striving for the closest cooperation with everyone who is determined to develop and enhance a creative beginning for sports and its boundless humanistic potential.» - Vladimir Putin, Russian presidentDespite Vladimir Putin's wish, whose country is hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup (a major coup for him), politics became a focal point of the global tournament well before the first match kicked off.Part of it can be attributed to Russia's own crackdown of dissidents both foreign and domestic. On Thursday, British human rights activist Peter Tatchell was arrested on Thursday after protesting in front of the Kremlin with a sign criticizing Putin's silence on the Chechen persecution of gay people. Tatchell was eventually released on bail. And speaking of the gay community and Russia, Irish bookmaker Paddy Power promised earlier this week to donate £10,000 to LGBT+ Read more